Ebola–RNs Call for Highest Standards for Protective Equipment, including Hazmat Suits and Training

Following news Sunday that the first U.S. nurse has now tested positive for the deadly Ebola virus, National Nurses United (NNU) is calling for all hospitals to put in place the highest standard of protections, including Hazmat suits, as well as hands-on training to protect all RNs and other hospital personnel. “Hospitals are not changing what they're doing and the preparedness is not getting through to the front line caregivers," said Stephen Frum, NNU’s chief shop steward at Medstar Washington Hospital Center...  

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“There is no standard short of optimal in protective equipment and hands-on-training that is acceptable,” said RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United, the largest U.S. organization of nurses.

"Our point is not to alarm anyone,” said Frum. “There's no reason to panic. What we're calling for is readiness."

The issue of Ebola training has come up at the bargaining table during contract negotiations at Medstar, Reuters reports. Staffing is an issue raised by both shop steward Frum and the union for hospitals to have what the union considers appropriate emergency preparedness plans for Ebola or other outbreaks.

- based on reports by WTOP and an NNU news release. Click here for a report in The Washington Post.